How to Play the Dorian Mode on Guitar

The second mode of the major scale is our good friend, the dorian mode.

This mode is most often used over minor 7 chords functioning as II chords. The most colorful note in the dorian mode is the major 6th. In this lesson I will show you the easiest and most effective approach to improvising with dorian mode.

Use this lesson to:

Learn basic modal theory.

Tune your ears to this mode’s unique sound.

Know how to improvise with it musically.

Have fun while you learn!

Dorian Example

Can you see how D dorian has the same notes as C major scale?

Visual Example of Dorian

Real Life Example

In this example Dm7 is the II chord in the key of C major. You can play D dorian over this D minor 7.

Here is how to play the dorian mode on the guitar in two positions. A white circle means that note is the root note of the scale. Numbers indicate what finger to use (1: first finger, 2: second finger, etc). You can easily move the Dorian shape up and down the fret board to play in different keys, just position the white dot over your chosen root note.

How to HEAR the Dorian Mode

To start off with, you can think of D dorian = C major scale. But to really HEAR the unique sound of any mode you need appreciate this mode as its own entity.

Try this:

Forget about C major.

Play a Dm7 chord and play through D dorian slowly.

Accustom your ears to the sound of the scale, especially the natural 6th (13).

Try this with all your modes, think of each scale as its own unique scale.

To sum up, modes are easy to learn because they share the same notes. But to get your ears around them, think of each mode as a unique scale and key center. I remember modes being confusing to me when I started out, let me know in the comment section below if this trick works for you!

How to Use the Dorian Mode

Over a minor 7 chord, the 9th, 11th and especially the 13th (or 6th) will sound really colorful.

The root, b3, 5 and b7 are your ‘inside’ notes.

Dorian Mode Summary

Scale

Dorian Mode

Chord

Min7, Min9, Min11, Min13

Notes

R, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7

C Dorian

C, D, Eb, F, G, A , Bb

Chord/ Guide Tones

b3rd and b7th

Color Tones

9th, 11th, 13th,

Avoid Notes

none

Sam's Tip

Use this awesome mode over IIm7 chords and on minor vamps and funk jams.

The Bebop Dorian Scale

A better option for more advanced jazz guitarists is the Bebop Dorian Scale. Here is why bebop scales are better:

They add chromatic notes to your lines.

Your lines will sound fluid and more ‘jazzy.’

Most modern jazz guitarists use the bebop vocabulary is some way or another. Even if they aren’t PLAYING bebop, they USE bebop lines.

They just sound cool.

Congratulations on making it through this lesson! You did great. I recommend you immediately check out ‘How to Practice Jazz Guitar Scales’ to ingrain the dorian mode in your ears and fingers. Aim to know the Dorian Mode really well. You won’t regret it, I promise!

Further Learning

Return to jazz guitar scales here to learn another cool scale, otherwise check out the links below to complete your knowledge of the dorian scale.

The Aelian Mode: It is really important you learn the different sounds and uses of the aeolian minor mode vs the dorian minor mode.